- Shamser Khalid
Neil Warnock Steps Out of Retirement with Funny Post
Yesterday, Huddersfield Town made an SOS call, and Neil Warnock answered it. After stepping out of retirement to answer the call, the 74-year-old shared a hilarious post on his social media page.
The post featured Warnock posed in front of a T-Rex skeleton with the caption, “From one dinosaur to another. Not extinct yet.” His tweet referred to criticism about him being an outdated and out-of-fashion manager.
In addition to sharing the funny post, the reappointed coach had several comments on stepping out from retirement. “My first spell at Huddersfield Town had everything; we went to Wembley twice, moved into the new stadium, and built the club from nothing. It was a special time,” he told the club website.
He also said he returned to help the club and club chairman Dean Hoyle. “I’ve looked at the fixtures, and we’ve got some fantastic games. I want to come back and put smiles on faces,” he added.
Neil Warnock’s Work with Huddersfield Town
Warnock had previously managed the club between 1993 and 1995. In his first season with the club, Neil led the team to the Autoglass Trophy Final at Wembley. Including Huddersfield Town, Warnock managed 16 clubs in his impressive career.
When Warnock answered the SOS call, he signed a short-term contract with the football club and got tasked with keeping Huddersfield in the Championship after a dismal campaign under Danny Schofield and Fotheringham. During this period, Warnock will have Ronnie Jepson (who played under Warnock at Huddersfield in the 90s.) as an assistant. His first match in charge will be Birmingham City on Saturday.
Currently, the football club sits 23rd in the Championship following their 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic on Saturday. Neil Warnock is the fifth boss that the club has appointed in less than three years.
Before Warnock, the club sacked Danny Schofield in September after nine games and Mark Fotheringham last Wednesday.
Club Response to the Manager’s Reappointment
With this reappointment, Warnock is the oldest manager in the top four tiers of English football, surpassing Blackpool boss Mick McCarthy, who is a decade younger. It is also Warnock’s 18th permanent job.
There were many comments on his return; one was from Huddersfield Town’s Managing Director, Dave Baldwin.
“In my conversations with Neil over the last few days, it was very clear how much care he has for this club and its fans, and it is that mix that was all-important in his decision to take this position,” he said.
He added, “We clearly have a big challenge ahead of us in our remaining games, with a very clear objective, and Neil’s vast experience and knowledge will be a massive boost as we face that head-on.”
Neil Warnock Story
Neil started his managerial career at Gainsborough Trinity in 1980 and made a successful career that includes eight promotions. In 2021, Warnock broke the 1,601-game record for most matches managed in English professional football.
The last club he worked with was Middlesbrough, and he left in 2021. Five months later, he announced in an interview that it was “the right time” to retire. He also said the main factor in calling time in his management career was spending time with his family and wife, Sharon.
The fact he answered that call was a surprise since Warnock made a vow never to return to the coaching bench after retiring in April 2021. Sources say he was lured back in by the prospect of keeping Huddersfield in the Championship.
